Data Qualifiers and Flags for General Chemistries, and Metals

B: This parameter was found in field (fB) or lab blank (B). Whether the result is accepted, estimated, or rejected will be based upon 

the level of contamination listed below. 

1) If the result of the sample is greater than the method reporting limit (MRL) but less than five times the blank 

contamination, then the result will be rejected. 

2) If the result of the sample is between five and ten times the blank contamination, then the result will be estimated 

3) If the result of the sample is less than the reporting limit or greater than ten times the blank contamination, the result 

will be accepted. 

D: The Relative Present Difference (RPD) for this parameter was above the acceptable control limits. The parameter will be 

considered estimated below: 

1. Field Duplicates (fD): 

a. The RPD is not calculated and no flags are assigned if either of the following is true: 

1. Both samples values are less than MRL. 

2. The Sample or Duplicate value is less than the MRL, and the other value is less than or equal to 

5/3 times the MRL. 

b. All analytical results for this parameter will be flagged "fDJ" and estimated if either of the following are true: 

1. The RPD is greater than the IDEM control range for field duplicates (RPDMax). 

2. The Sample or Duplicate value is less than the MRL, and the other value exceeds 5/3 times the 

MRL. 

2. Lab Duplicates 

a. If the RPD is between 20% and 40% then the samples in the batch will be estimated. 

b. If the RPD exceeds 40% then the samples in the batch will be rejected. 

H: The analysis for this parameter was performed out of the holding time. The results will be estimated or rejected on the basis 

listed below: 

1) If the analysis was performed between the holding time and 11⁄2 times the holding time the result will be estimated. 

2) If the analysis was performed outside the 11⁄2 times the holding time window the result will be rejected. 

U: The result of the parameter is above the Method Detection Limit (MDL) but below the reporting limit and will be 

estimated. 

R: Rejected Results for causes identified

Q: One or more of the QC checks or criteria are out of control or one or more of the MS/MSD results are outside control 

limits due to matrix spike recovery problem 

J: If one or more of the QC checks or criteria are out of control, the results will be estimated. For a parameter, if both the MS 

and the MSD were outside the 80% to 120% range and were not rerun, a ‘J’ flag will be used to indicate the results as 

Estimated values (only the sample used for the spike). However, the following exceptions would apply for not using the 

“J” Flag. 

 

 1. If only one of the Matrix Spikes was outside the % recoveries criteria (80% - 120%) and RPD, but the three 

QC checks, listed below, for the parameter were within specification, then the result will not be ‘J’ flagged. 

 2. If the RPD was outside the criteria of 0 to 20% and only one or none of the Matrix spike sample was outside 

the 80% to 120% range, but the three QC checks for the parameters were within specifications as listed below then the 

result will not be ‘J’ flagged. 

QC Checks for ‘J’ Flag

1. The Continuing Calibration Standard’s recovery was within the (90-110%) range. 

2. Contamination was not found above the parameter’s reporting limit, and 

3. The Laboratory QC Check Standards’ recoveries were within the 80% to120% range.